[FormerACLUmember]

This woman was more disabled than Terri.

[nickcarraway]

ping

[hispanarepublicana]

Ah, to have slept thru the entire Clinton Administration Aberration ....

[BipolarBob]

Praise God! Miracles do happen.

[Larry Lucido]

"Look, she's waking up!"

"I feel so refreshed. Get me a toothbrush!"

--The Other Side of Darkness, a "Gene" pick.

[Mears]

Just saw this on the news-----astonishing.

[elfman2]

(CBS) Not only is Sarah Scantlin speaking after suddenly awakening from the coma-like state she'd been in for 20 years, she's displaying "uncanny recall," her father says.

And Sarah's doctor says she seems to improve by the day.

Sarah, who was was in a hit-and-run accident when she was 18 that left her in the coma-like state, began speaking, out of the blue, a week ago. Doctors have no explanation.

Jim Scantlin, Sarah's father, told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith that, before that, his daughter was "basically unresponsive, in the regular sense of the word 'alert.' She was able to do eye contact and was very aware of her surroundings, but otherwise, physically, she was completely incapable of doing anything."

Sarah's mother, Betsy Scantlin, says Sarah actually started to make some noises a couple of years ago. "We didn't have any idea what that meant," she said to Smith. "We just knew it was a noise that she hadn't made for 18 years, and the people -- it's kind of like having a baby. You kind of learn to know the sounds, and they could kind of tell whether she wanted her TV changed or she was hurting or something, but otherwise, nothing."

Jim recounted the phone call he and Betsy got, informing them of the unimaginable: "It was amazing. I'm in the living room. Betsy was in the computer area, and the phone rings, and I'm immediately aware that it's the nursing home…where (Sarah) resides.

"And suddenly, I'm aware that there's a profound, distinct difference. Rather than speaking about Sarah, it became very clear she was speaking to Sarah. It was the most amazing feeling in the world."

Besty says she's "still stunned" to be hearing Sarah's voice again. "There's just no words. Twenty years ago, I cried a lot. This week, all I've done is laugh because, when I heard her say, 'Hi Mom,' I said, 'Sarah, is that you?' And she said, 'Yeah.' And all I can do is just say -- I've just laughed ever since, because it's just so amazing."

What's more, Jim says Sarah is showing "uncanny recall. It's amazing how -- considering how severe and profound her injury was, her ability to recall -- it's astonishing."

Sarah's doctor, Bradley Scheel, adds that, "It's just been amazing. We're all thrilled. And it seems, almost from day to day, she's able to make more responses. We're really anxious to see how she does from here."


©MMV, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

[anniegetyourgun]

Wow....a whole lotta catchin' up to do here.....

[secret garden]

This reminds me of a Natalie Merchant song.

Doctors have come from distant cities just to see me
stand over my bed disbelieving what they're seeing
they say I must be one of the wonders of god's own creation
and as far as they see they can offer no explanation
newspapers ask intimate questions what confessions
they reach into my head to steal the glory of my story
they say I must be one of the wonders of god's own creation
and as far as they see they can offer no explanation

I believe
fate smiled and destiny
laughed as she came to my cradle
"know this child will be able"
laughed as my body she lifted
"know this child will be gifted
with love, with patience
and with faith she'll make her way"

[ItCanHappenToYou]

BUMP

[digger48]

A video of her was strikingly similar to Terri's condition. Haven't seen much about her injuries in comparison.

[clyde asbury]

I have seen news of several recoveries lately that suggest "brain dead" patients are subject to recoveries like this.

Much about neurology is simply not understood.

[mickie]

Please send this article to Jeb Bush.

All the more reason he has to put Terri in protective custody.

[Future Useless Eater]

be careful everyone, the last time there was an amazing recovery story like this it was a HOAX to make the Terri-supporters look like fools.

Check and cross-check the story, and don't trust obscure foreign news sources

[olde north church]

Miraculous, yes, commplace, no, inspiring, quite.

[NYer]

Merciful God, may the timing of this woman' s awakening be a guide for those now deciding the fate of Terri Schiavo!

Catholic Ping - Come home for Easter and experience God’s merciful love. Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

TERRI SCHIAVO PING!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

The power of prayers.

[eleni121]

I hope that Florida and in particular the "husband" who is trying to have his wife killed by the state - is listening.

[krinkrayyado]

27 years ago I did a six week rotation through surgical ICU in a Ft. Worth hospital. I took care of a 17 y.o. girl who was in a complete coma the entire time. I spoke to her daily, praised her and encouraged her... although she never responded. I rotated off of the service, hoping she would recover. I didn't see her again, until about 8 months later, at the end of a long day, I was walking back to my room to take a shower. She appeared from behind a column to surprise me. She took me, kissed me, and told me how much I had meant to her. I was stunned... she left me there, both of us crying.
True story... body + spirit = soul. Always be aware that our spirits are what truly communicates... even in the Alzheimer's patients.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Think of it! When she had her accident there was U2, and Blondie, and music still on MTV. There was Springsteen, Madonna, way before Nirvana...

Seriously, all prayers to her for a speedy and successful recovery.